The Big 12 race got a little clearer last week, but we still have a long way to go. Several key matchups are on the schedule this week, and we may just have the two clear conference title game front-runners after week nine concludes.
Here are our week nine Big 12 predictions:
- Kansas State at West Virginia, Noon on ESPN2:
Believe it or not, I actually feel really good about the Mountaineers in this matchup. The Wildcats haven’t necessarily set the world on fire this season, and their quarterback, Will Howard, is average at best. Darius and Dante Stills will be after him all day, and I think they lead the Mountaineers to a narrow victory.
West Virginia 20, Kansas State 17 - Iowa State at Kansas, Noon on FS1:
Do I even need to put my predictions for the game? We all know which way I am going. Give me the Cyclones in a blowout.
Iowa State 45, Kansas 3 - TCU at Baylor, 3:30 on ESPN2:
These two squads have easily been the most inconsistent in the conference this season. The loser will in all likelihood finish with a record under .500. With the game being in Waco, I like the Bears. If not for an upset win at Texas, TCU would be winless right now. The Horned Frogs just don’t have the offense to compete right now, and I think Baylor puts it away in the fourth quarter.
Baylor 31, TCU 20 - Texas at Oklahoma State, 4:00 on FOX:
This one has the potential to be the best matchup of the entire day. Oklahoma State is the only undefeated team in the Big 12 right now, and are in the driver’s seat for the Big 12 Championship Game. However, they have not yet faced an offense like Texas’ yet. This one will be close until the bitter end, but I believe Sam Ehlinger is just too much for the Cowboys defense today. Give me Texas in the upset.
Texas 34, Oklahoma State 30 - Oklahoma at Texas Tech, 8:00 on FOX:
This game has the potential to be a whole lot of fun. Oklahoma has been inconsistent, and Texas Tech may have just turned their fortunes around with a new quarterback and a win over West Virginia. This one will not quite look like the Baker Mayfield-Pat Mahomes battle a few seasons ago, but it will be damn close. Not a lot of people will, but I am taking the Red Raiders in an upset here. I still feel as if Oklahoma is not a legitimate contender this year, and Texas Tech seems to beginning to figure things out. Henry Colombi has a career day against the bad Sooners defense.
Texas Tech 41, Oklahoma 35
